Gun Laws in Massachusetts
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
Massachusetts's low score of 18 reflects the state's restrictive licensing system, assault weapons ban, magazine capacity limits, lack of preemption laws, and extensive regulatory burdens on firearm ownership and use.
Massachusetts Gun Laws Summary
Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States. The state imposes significant restrictions on firearms and ammunition ownership, with comprehensive licensing requirements and numerous regulations that go well beyond federal law.
Massachusetts is a may-issue state for firearm licenses, meaning local licensing authorities have significant discretion in issuing permits. There are two types of licenses in Massachusetts: the License to Carry (LTC) and the Firearms Identification Card (FID). The LTC allows for concealed carry and purchase of handguns, rifles, and shotguns, while the FID only permits ownership of rifles and shotguns.
Since September 13, 1998, Massachusetts has enforced strict gun control measures when Governor Paul Cellucci signed the Massachusetts Gun Control Act of 1998 into law. The state prohibits "assault weapons" and magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, requires firearms to be stored with a lock when not in use, and mandates background checks for private sales. These regulations have established Massachusetts as one of the most restrictive states regarding Second Amendment rights.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
Massachusetts requires either an LTC or FID card to purchase any firearm or ammunition. All firearms purchases require a background check, including private sales between individuals. The state maintains its own background check system in addition to the federal NICS system.
Private transfers must be reported to the state through an online portal, and a record of all firearm purchases and transfers is maintained by the state. Massachusetts also has a roster of approved handguns that can be legally sold in the state, limiting the models available to residents.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
Massachusetts requires an LTC for open or concealed carry of handguns. Local licensing authorities have significant discretion in issuing these permits and can impose restrictions on where and how firearms may be carried. The state does not recognize carry permits from any other states.
Open carry is technically legal with an unrestricted LTC, but it is uncommon and often discouraged by local authorities. Massachusetts prohibits carrying firearms in schools, government buildings, and other sensitive locations. To obtain an LTC, applicants must complete a state-approved firearms safety course, undergo a background check, and demonstrate they are a "suitable person" to the local licensing authority. The application process can be lengthy, and denials are common in certain jurisdictions.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
Massachusetts bans the possession, sale, and transfer of "assault weapons" as defined by state law, which includes many semi-automatic rifles with specific features. The state also prohibits magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds for both rifles and handguns. NFA items such as suppressors are prohibited for civilian ownership, although short-barreled rifles and machine guns may be owned with the appropriate licenses and tax stamps. The state attorney general has broad authority to interpret and enforce these bans.
Local Laws
Massachusetts does not have strong preemption laws for firearms regulations. Local governments have the authority to enact additional restrictions beyond state law, creating a patchwork of regulations that vary by municipality. This can create confusion for gun owners traveling through different cities and towns, as restrictions on carrying and transportation may change from one jurisdiction to another.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
Massachusetts Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Intervention and Seizure Provisions
Red Flag Law
Law enforcement (and others, depending on the state) is allowed to request that firearms be taken away from others with limited due process.
Emergency Gun Seizure Before Restraining Orders
Similar to a red flag law, state will take away guns before an actual conviction. This is often during domestic disputes, before a restraining order takes effect, and in similar situations.
Guns Seized for Hate Crimes
State will take away all firearms from an individual in response to a misdemeanor hate crime conviction.
Guns Seized After Becoming Prohibited
State will quickly respond when an individual's status changes to prohibited and take away all firearms belonging to that person.
Guns Seized After Domestic Violence Conviction
State will quickly respond to take away firearms from an individual if they are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Guns Seized Amid Restraining Orders
State will take away all firearms from anyone who is subject to a restraining order, even though federal law already does this.
No Stand Your Ground Law
State imposes a "duty to retreat" before using force or requires "proportional force" when responding to an attack or dangerous situation with force.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
This piece covers the ammunition and firearms laws in Massachusetts. To do so, the piece starts with the ammunition laws in MA, with an eye on the legal processes necessary to buy ammo in the state. From there, we turn to the firearms laws, covering both the purchasing of firearms and the processes by which people can own and carry guns in public in Massachusetts. To wrap things up, we leave you with some resources that we think will be useful for folks who want to buy, own, and carry firearms and ammunition in Massachusetts.
Do not consider this piece to be legal advice. Instead, we hope that this is a useful source of information that you can use to inform your own analyses and choices.
Owning and carrying firearms in Massachusetts exposes law-abiding folks to some of the most complex and restrictive laws in the country. One thing that might make things slightly easier for the average person is that the state, more or less, has preemption. Our understanding is that courts in the state have found that localities are free to make their own laws, but not in such a way that makes it difficult for law-abiding, ordinary persons to live normal lives and do the things that are generally legal elsewhere in the state. So, generally, the laws around owning and carrying guns are set at the state level and apply to the state as a whole.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Massachusetts
First, we will cover the ammo laws of MA.
The ammunition laws in Massachusetts are among the most strict in the nation for one major reason: the state requires a permit, called a Firearms ID Card, to buy or possess any firearms or ammunition at all. The state also requires that anyone selling ammunition has a license from Massachusetts to do so, and for them to ask for the Firearms ID card of customers when purchases are made.
Getting that ID card requires an application, a $100 fee, and a class, and is subject to the discretion of local law enforcement. If you plan to also carry a firearm in the state, keep that page bookmarked, as you will need it again.
Because of the licensing rules for both buyers and sellers of ammunition, most retailers are simply unwilling to go through the hassle and legal liability of shipping ammo to the state. Thus, the best bet for Massachusetts residents is often to buy ammunition in person.
Once the buyer has the requisite license and has been relieved of $100 by the state, Massachusetts does not have any ammo bans, nor do they impose waiting periods on ammo.
In addition to the already strict Massachusetts requirements, Federal laws still apply. People have to be eighteen to buy rifle or shotgun ammo, and twenty-one to buy handgun ammo. Additionally, prohibited persons, such as those convicted of felonies or domestic violence, those who have been ruled mentally unfit in court, and people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, cannot buy ammo anywhere in the USA.
In sum, an ordinary person can expect to wait about a month and spend $100 for the privilege of having to go to the local gun store to buy ammo in Massachusetts, and that right can be denied for any reason, including no reason at all, by local authorities. This means that the state has some of the strictest ammo laws in the country.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Massachusetts
Next, we will do the same exercise for MA’s gun laws.
The state has a ban on certain magazines and “assault weapons.” No one can own magazines of more than ten rounds, unless they were already in the state and in the possession of the current owner before the ban became law. The assault weapon ban prohibits the sale and possession of firearms both by name and through a list of features. That same law also bans suppressors and destructive devices, though other NFA items, such as short-barreled rifles, are allowed.
Assuming the buyer wants to buy a gun that is not banned, the first step, just like with ammunition, is to acquire a current Firearms ID Card from the state.
If the buyer has a Firearms ID card, make sure to bring that, another form of ID, and a form of payment to the FFL. That FFL will ask the buyer to fill out Form 4473 to comply with federal and state law. Once both the background check and payment are clear, the buyer can leave with the purchased firearm on the same day.
Overall, buying a firearm in Massachusetts is quite restrictive thanks to the fact that there are both bans and a requirement to have a pre-existing permit, which both add fees to the equation and act as a de facto waiting period.
Carrying a firearm requires yet another permit. In this case, it is the same application as the Firearms ID card, but with a different box checked at the top and an additional fee. This means that to own and carry a firearm in the state, you would have to fill out the exact same application twice, pay two different sets of fees, and check precisely one box differently.
Once the second permit, called the License to Carry, is in hand, permit holders can both concealed and openly carry a firearm in the state, and in most public and private places. The Massachusetts permit is not that widely accepted in other states, especially in other states in the immediate geographical surroundings of the state.
Like most states, the Massachusetts state government outlaws firearms in some locations entirely, including:
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K-12 schools
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Colleges and universities
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Inside airport terminals
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Courthouses
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Federal facilities
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Public roads (on foot)
These restrictions are not unusual, even among the most permissive states.
Despite the strict gun laws in the state, Kahr Arms operates a manufacturing facility in the state.
Overall, the bans and permitting processes in Massachusetts make the state strict in terms of its gun laws. This is especially true given that people have to, in effect, pay for and fill out the same permit twice to both carry and own guns. This seems to be a deliberate system to tax gun owners and make carrying a firearm in the state an onerous bureaucratic process.
Gun laws in the state might well get even more strict in the future. A proposed law, which recently passed the state House, would add a slew of new restrictions, including even more paperwork and fees, as well as mandating serial numbers on all firearm parts (which is very poorly defined in the bill and might even include screws).
All things considered, Massachusetts is one of the strictest states already in terms of gun laws, and things might well get more strict in the future. Should this bill pass, the gun laws in Massachusetts would more closely resemble those in Europe than those in the US.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Massachusetts
The general sales tax rate in Massachusetts is 6.25%, and it does not vary from place to place within the state. The state does not impose additional taxes on firearms and ammunition, though the permitting fees required to purchase and carry firearms and ammunition might rightly be viewed as taxes.
More Resources:
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The ATF maintains a list of every FFL in the country, including in Massachusetts. This list is kept up to date and can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is a great tool: using the zip code, city, and mileage filters, you can find ranges that are convenient to you. Users can upload new ranges, too, and the information is regularly fact-checked.
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There are a number of well-rated gun stores in Massachusetts.
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Northeast Shooters Forums are not Mass specific, but they do have active sections following the legal developments in the state.